Kese in Fatih

All three venues offering kese (exfoliating scrub) in Fatih are historic hammams: the Süleymaniye, Çemberlitaş and Cağaloğlu hammams. At all three, kese is offered together with the Turkish bath and foam massage; on the Historic Peninsula, kese is not a separate spa treatment but a step in the hammam ritual, carried out in the hot room.

Kese at the three hammams

Süleymaniye Hamamı is the hammam of the Süleymaniye Külliyesi (mosque complex), designed by Mimar Sinan; in its ritual of about 105 minutes, kese, foam wash and refreshments are included in the price. As it is listed as mixed, ask in advance how women and men guests are looked after and who will do the kese. Çemberlitaş Hamamı is a double hammam with separate women's and men's sections; the lack of a time limit on entry makes a difference for those who want to rest in the hot room after the kese. Cağaloğlu Hamamı is also a double hammam, within walking distance of Hagia Sophia; the women's section is reached through a separate entrance on Hamam Sokağı.

Questions to ask before the kese

• Whether the kese is included in the entrance fee or sold as a separate package with the foam wash.
• Whether a new or cleaned kese is used for each guest, and whether you can bring your own.
• Whether the kese in the women's section is done by a female attendant.
• Whether the peshtemal, towel and soap are included in the price.

As prices and what packages include vary from hammam to hammam, it is worth comparing historic hammam prices in Istanbul. With irritated skin, such as sunburn, fresh waxing, an open wound or eczema, it is sensible to postpone the kese. How the kese is done is on the kese page, and the area's other hammams on the Fatih page.